"Go on," a strained, delicate voice choked as the bloodied body thumped the rocky floor, creating a cloud of murky dust. Dull olive eyes peered up from the lump of mottled matted fur. A section of her fur was harshly ripped under her jaw; every heartbeat pumped out a fresh cascade of blood. The forest was silent, except for the harsh raspy heaving of Nora and her aggressor, Kestrel.
Zira could do no more than stare blankly as time slowed to a stop for her. Her sister lay dying at her feet, her murderer staring at the duo with an icy gaze.
"Yeah, go on now, Zira," Kestrel snickered as she gave a blood-stained toothy grin. Her snow-white fur soaked up the shed blood like a mop, staining it dark red.
Zira looked down again, but in that moment's hesitation, it was already too late. Staring back up at her with a glossy gaze, was her motionless sister Nora.
Tear began to pool in the corner of Zira's eyes as she fully began to grasp the situation. Her heart pounded rapidly in her chest, yet she stood still. Her fur began to tense up as Kestrel neared her.
Kestrel giggled evilly as she nonchalantly strolled up to Zira. She thrust her muzzle at Zira's, which was a massive mistake for both of them.
Quick as lightening, Zira snapped at Kestrel, landing an intense blow on her nose. Her teeth sunk into the soft skin, slicing her nose open like butter. Just as quick to react, Kestrel whipped away and threw herself at Zira, knocking her over. The duo wrestled in the dirt, throwing up clouds of smoke-like dust before teeth met bone and a large snap caused the battle to fall silent and motionless. The echo of a high-pitched shriek bounced between the large oak trees, daring the birds to sing again.
"I- She- I didn't mean to-" was all Zira could shakily whisper as she gazed down at Kestrel. Her white fur wasn't white anymore; now it was a dark muddled red. Her neck lay at an awkward angle, her torn nose and forehead pressed directly into the ground as if she was standing on her head, while her body sharply contorted at the upper-shoulder, lazily laying to the side.
Zira stared at Kestrel for what seemed like years before gazing around her surroundings and noticing her sister, Nora, also laying cold.
"How could something going so great, end up like this?" she quietly cried to herself as she fell to the ground with a flop, shivering violently. All she could think to herself is,
"This never needed to happen. So why?"
Spicebush Swallowtail
Aspen Trees